Exploring the Role of Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioners in First-Episode Psychosis Coordinated Specialty Care Programs Across the United States.

Abstract

ObjectivesThis paper describes the different modalities of Coordinated Specialty Care (CSC) in first-episode psychosis and illustrates how psychiatric nurse practitioners can fulfill important roles in the team-based effort of individualized treatment and therefore increase access to specialized care for those suffering from early serious mental illness.MethodsReview of published literature and other online resources on first-episode psychosis (FEP) and CSC, shortage of psychiatric providers, and the role of the Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner.ResultsResults are extracted from published literature on young persons experiencing FEP within current CSC models, as well as other online resources evaluating the increasing psychiatrist shortage throughout the United States.ConclusionThis article explores the potential roles and benefits of integrating psychiatric nurse practitioners into first-episode care and advocates that their involvement improves access to timely and effective interventions for young persons experiencing new-onset psychosis.